44 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



antelope, monkeys, raccoons, two wild cats, a jaguar, and a large 

 grizzly bear, the latter from the Kocky Mountains. Though these 

 objects are of importance in serving as models for drawings by the 

 various artists engaged in figuring the collections of the different sur- 

 veying and exploring expeditions, it is neither compatible with the 

 means of the Institution, nor the duties of the Secretary and his 

 assistants to take the custody of specimens of this character. We 

 have, however, been relieved from this unenviable charge by the kind 

 cooperation of Dr. Nichols, Superintendent of the Government Insane 

 Asylum, who has provided suitable accommodations for the animals 

 on the extensive grounds of that institution, and rendered them sub- 

 servient to its benevolent object in the amusement and consequent 

 improvement of its patients. As they are in the immediate neighbor- 

 hood of this city, they are readily accessible to strangers, and students 

 of natural history, who visit the seat of government. While presents 

 of this kind evince kind feelings, and are complimentary to the manage- 

 ment of the Institution, the expense of transportation in some cases has 

 been rather a heavy tax, and while we cannot very well refuse dona- 

 tions of this character, they would be much more acceptable were 

 they received free of cost. 



In connexion with this subject it may be stated that we have 

 frequent applications for exchanges of specimens with foreign institu- 

 tions ; but while we are anxious to diffuse as widely as possible a 

 knowledge of the natural history of this country, and to distribute 

 articles which may serve to verify the Smithsonian publications, still 

 it is not the policy with the present income to collect specimens other 

 than those directly intended to illustrate the productions of the North 

 American continent. 



For a detailed account of the operations of the museum, the explo- 

 rations which have been undertaken during the year at the expense 

 of the government or otherwise, and the sources from which donations 

 have been received, I will refer to the report of Prof. Baird, herewith 

 submitted. 



Gallery of Art. — The room apropriated to the gallery of art is still 

 occupied by the series of interesting Indian portraits, by Mr. Stanley. 

 It is to be hoped that Congress will make an appropriation for the 

 purchase of these illustrations of a race of men rapidly disappearing 

 betore the advance of civilization. The collection should be kept to- 

 gether and carefully preserved as a faithful ethnological record of the 

 characteristics of the aboriginal inhabitants of the western portion of 

 our continent. It is the most complete collection «f the kind now in 

 existence, and it would be a matter of lasting regret were the pictures 



